Through my involvement in the city of Santa Paula, I have seen the need for effective leadership in a wonderful city, with possibilities of becoming an amazing city.
 

I was born in Hood River, a small agricultural town in Oregon that is very similar to Santa Paula in many respects.  After living here for 15 years, Santa Paula has become my home. I have laid down deep roots, marrying Santa Paula native, Daniel Sandoval, and have two step-children. I am committed to making Santa Paula the best that it can be not just for today, but for our children.  There are families we are born into, and families that we choose. Santa Paula is the home/family that I have chosen.
 

During my twelve years of service on the Santa Paula City Council, I have continued with other endeavors.  I have been pastor of First Christian Church for the past 14 and a half years, I am a graphic designer, and an event coordinator. 

 

During my time on Council I have served on the following boards:

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Present:

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), District 47 (representing Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula and Fillmore), where I currently serve as 1st Vice President (2026)

- SCAG Executive Administration Committee Member (Second Vice President (2025)

- SCAG Energy and the Environment Committee (Chair 2025, Vice Chair 2024)

- SCAG Legislative Committee

- SCAG Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee

- SCAG Audit Committee (Chair 2025-6)

- SCAG General Assembly Host Committee (Chair 2025-6)

Ventura Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo) (2022-present) (Chair 2024, Vice Chair 2023)

Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) (2018-2020, 2022-present)

VCTC Heritage Valley Policy Advisory Committee (2018-2020, 2022-present)

Santa Paula Branch Line Advisory Committee (2018-2020, 2022-present)

Clean Power Alliance, Board & Executive Committee (2023-present)

Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (2024-present)

City Council Economic Development Committee (2024-present)

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Select Past Committees:

Ventura Regional Sanitation District (2017, 2020-2022)

Ventura Council of Governments (2018-2022)​ (Chair 2020, Vice Chair 2022)

Community Action of Ventura County (2015-2019)

City Council Development Agreement Negotiations Team

City Council Homeless and Housing Committee

City Council Finance Committee

All Children Thrive (ACT) Design Committee

School District/City Council Joint Committee

Council Water & Sewer Rate Study Committee

Council Solid Waste Contract Negotiations Committee

Council City Council Website Redesign Committee

Liaison, Citizen's Crops (Emergency Preparedness)

Liaison, Property Business Improvement District

Liaison, Parks and Recreation Commission

 

Prior to my current professions, I taught in the Oregon public school system.  I completed a double bachelor’s Degree in graphic design and Spanish at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon.  I also hold a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  I am fluent in both Spanish and English.  

Previous work experiences include:

 

• Public School System - After graduation, I went to work in the Oregon public school system. I worked in two elementary schools and one middle school. During this part of my life I ran an after-school program and worked with the English Language Learners and their parents offering interpretation for parent-teacher conferences and translation of written materials into Spanish. The majority of my students were from immigrant and migrant families.

 

• Hispanic/Latino Coalition - I coordinated three churches to offer Adult English classes. The program included a meal, tutoring, and child care so that mothers wanting to learn English could also attend the classes.

 

• All People's Community Center - I came to California for an internship working at a community center in South Central Los Angeles. While there, I worked with families, youth, and attended meetings in the community, learning about plans for collaboration between non-profits, community empowerment, and the redevelopment of South Central LA.

 

My activities in our community range from meeting with leaders of non-profits and city entities, to helping organize events to raise awareness about reducing violence, and promoting community unity.  I have also sat on the Santa Paula Citizen Corps. 

Two of my core values are authenticity and honesty.  I am bilingual and bi-cultural. I am committed to looking at the concerns that face our community from multiple perspectives, and seeking holistic and systemic solutions.  I desire to help create a city government that is committed to partnering with and empowering our community to realize our collective potential.

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